Linus and his crew returned to the first island in silence, the white ship gliding through the waves like a frightened specter. No one spoke; the black ship's appearance on the horizon choked their words.
Linus stood on the prow of the ship, staring into the distance where the giant ship had disappeared, his eyes shining with worry. His voice was faint, "Lamour... I never imagined I would see him."
Romulus, standing beside him, replied, "He wasn't meant to return. His defeat in the Fourth Sea War was the end of an era. But it seems ghosts don't die... they just wait for the right moment to return."
The ship docked, and the crew quickly disembarked, hiding among the dense undergrowth. The island still bore the scars of the previous battle, but they had no choice.
Linus sat on a rock overlooking the sea, watching the waves, while Romulus sat beside him, unfolding an ancient buckskin map.
Linus said, "Do you think he saw us?"
"I don't think so. His ship was sailing steadily, as if searching for something else. But his mere presence in these waters means the route to Athens is no longer safe."
Linus paused, then said,
"Shall we wait? Or shall we look for another route?"
Romulus answered, pointing to the map, "There is an ancient passage between the islands, known as the Path of Shadows. No one uses it because it is narrow and dangerous, but I crossed it years ago. If we take it, we can reach the Gulf of Athens without passing through the Lamurian Waters."
Callias, the mighty sailor, approached and said,
"The Path of Shadows? I've heard of it... They say ships disappear there."
Old Nikos laughed and said,
"They even say spirits guard it. But I don't believe in superstitions. If Romulus knows the way, I'll go with him."
Linus looked at his men, then at the sea, and said,
"We will not face the Lamor now. We are not ready. We will take the Path of Shadows, no matter how dangerous it is. Athens is waiting, and there is no time for hesitation."
The crew began to refit the ship, while Romulus sat with Linus under an olive tree, explaining the details of the passage.
Romulus said,
"The passage passes between three rocky islands, narrow, and the winds are unstable. We will need perfect coordination between the oars and the sails. Any mistake… could sink us."
Linus answered confidently,
"We will survive. We have faced storms and creatures… No passage will defeat us."
Romulus smiled and said,
"That is the sound the sea should hear."
That night, no one slept. The crew prepared, checking ropes, filling skins, and sharpening swords. The fear was not only of the sea, but of the possibility of encountering the Lamor at any moment.
As for Linus, he sat alone by the fire, staring into the flames and remembering his father's words: "A leader does not choose the easiest path, but the path that leads his people to the light."
He whispered to himself:
"I will walk the path of shadows... and I will emerge from it into the light."